Ronnie Cottrell has stepped down as head football coach at Mobile Christian.

Cottrell led the Leopards to the Class 3A state title in 2023.

The Citronelle Call-News was first to report. Cottrell told AL.com he hopes to pursue a college coaching job.

“I’ve talked for several weeks with coach (Clint) Mitchell, the head of school,” Cottrell said. “I wanted there to be a smooth transition, and I was hoping we could keep this thing going. I was really hoping someone from my staff would be hired. But, for me personally, it was just time.

“This has been my favorite job. It’s been a wonderful nine years. I just feel like God has something new for me, and I’m searching for what that is.”

Cottrell went 75-29 in eight years as Mobile Christian’s head coach. He also was the co-head coach in 2015 with Tommy Wasden. That team went 10-2.

In 24 years as a high school head coach overall, Cottrell is 176-99 and 30-16 in the playoffs. His previous stops include Godby, Fla., Kinston, Flomaton, W.S. Neal, Carroll, Alma Bryant and Chickasaw.

He led Mobile Christian to Class 3A championship games in 2016, 2019 and 2023. The Leopards finished as runner-up in their first two appearances before winning the title last fall. Cottrell’s final Mobile Christian team went 15-0 and beat Madison Academy 55-28 in the title game in Tuscaloosa.

“This was such a satisfying season,” said Cottrell, who has college coaching experience at both Florida State and Alabama. “Our seniors did such a great job. I’ve had a hard time wiping the smile off my face. I would like to stay involved with this program for life. I thought it was the time to step away. Hopefully, we can have a smooth transition because we are certainly a team to challenge next year.”

Mobile Christian moves up to Class 4A next fall by the AHSAA’s competitive balance standard.

This post will be updated